Chapter 2
1648 Words
(Esmeray POV)
"Ah!!!" a scream filled the air as I grasped and sat up on my bed.
Fear built inside me as I looked around in worry. I groaned, feeling an unbearable pain in my chest.
My chest was hurting badly as I moved my hand to the position I was stabbed. But when I looked down to see the sword missing.
"What?" I whispered to myself.
Did I make it out alive? Did someone save me?
Ethan... Ethan and Elinor... they betrayed me. They were cheating on me for a long time and... And they killed me.
Panic filled me as I pulled my leg towards my chest and tried to take deep breaths.
I heard the door slam open.
"Lady! Lady, I am here!" a shout came as my head snapped up.
"Na-Nanny?" my eyes were wide as I saw my nanny looking around frantically. She had a flower vase as a weapon, perhaps to defend me from danger.
"What! Who is it?! Tell me"
I stared at the woman who was still looking around with caution.
"Ezzy. What happened?" she asked again.
"You died too?" Tears filled me.
It is the only logical explanation I have now. As far as I know, my nanny was too old and is bedridden, too weak to even lift a finger. But now she is healthy and hell, even looking younger!
"Died?" She frowned and walked to me with the vase. She put her hand over my forehead and her frown got even more prominent.
"Oh my, you are burning up. Are you OK?"
"I-" It took me a moment to compose myself. I looked around the room and I came to conclude my theory was correct.
I died and this is the afterlife.
Otherwise, how can this happen? My nanny is back on her feet, healthy, and my room.... this is my old room. My room before I got married.
It's just the same as before.
"Darling! Are you OK?! I heard screaming!"
My eyes widened as I heard a familiar voice. A voice I missed and wished I had heard again and again.
"M-mom?" I called as she came running in. Dad was also behind her. They both stopped in their place, shocked to see my face.
"Mommy, Daddy" I couldn’t help but break down. Tears started to flow down my cheeks as I jumped up from the bed. I ran and hugged them tight, surprising both of them.
"Baby, why are you crying? My god, you're burning up! Bring the doctor!" Dad shouted as I continued to cry, not letting them go.
"I missed you. I missed you so much"
"There there. Your mummy is here". A hand fell on my back, patting and trying to calm me down.
"Mom, Dad? What happened?" another voice rose as I froze.
My eyes shifted to the figure standing by the door. Her eyes were filled with tears as she walked towards us.
"Your sister had a nightmare."
Elinor's expression turned even sadder as she ran to me.
My head was still processing what was happening. What is she doing here?
Is this not the afterlife? Is.....
"Ezzy, are you OK?" She raised her hand towards me.
The moment she touched my shoulder, my reflexes kicked in as I slapped it away.
Grasps filled the air as Elinor's eyes started to fill with tears.
"Ezzy?" she called, but I couldn’t look at her in the eyes. At least not until I figure out what is going on.
What was happening? Was everything just a bad nightmare? But why do I remember everything so vividly? And my chest... It still hurts so badly. I could feel the pain I felt when the sword pierced into my heart.
"Eli, don't worry. She just had a bad dream. Go and get ready, OK? Nanny and Dad will come with you"
"OK". I could hear the disappointment in her voice but I ignored it, looking away.
When they left, Mother grabbed my hand and took me to bed. She went on her knees and put her hand on my cheek, wiping away the tears.
"Are you OK?" she asked as I looked at her. Seeing her again made me feel weak and I once again burst into tears.
"I- I am sorry"
She didn't speak, so she let me cry. When I was able to calm down, I looked at my mother. I raised my hand and touched her cheek, making her smile.
"Are you OK now?" she asked as I nodded my head. She leaned up and kissed my forehead.
"Now tell me what happened."
"I had a nightmare. A horrible one where I lost you and Dad. I became miserable and..." I paused, not wanting to talk about my sister. "And I was lonely."
"Well, it's just a terrible nightmare, OK? Both of us are here and you are not alone. So cheer up" She stood up and pulled me to my feet. "Besides, today is your birthday! Happy birthday!!"
"Birthday?" I frowned, trying to figure out which birthday. "How old am I?"
My mother frowned, a momentary expression of concern showing on her face.
"You are 18?"
I stared at my mother, who took a step toward me.
"Are you sure you are OK?"
"Um yes. Yes I am"
It took some time for me to convince her, but as soon as she left, I ran to the mirror.
I couldn’t help but look at my skin. My skin was no longer dull and there were no dark circles under my eyes. Instead, it looked young and lively.
Was it really a nightmare?
I didn't have much time to think about it. A knock filled the room before the nanny came in with a few maids behind her.
They had water and a towel in their arms. They made me lay down on the bed and started to wipe my body.
"The Duke has called the doctor so he will be here soon," the nanny said as I nodded my head.
Soon the doctor came rushing in.
He concluded that it was just a normal fever. He also noticed my pressure was a bit higher than usual but that was probably because of the nightmare I had.
He asked me if I felt anything and I decided to tell him about my aching chest pain. But after a series of tests, he concluded there was nothing.
"Take these medicines and get some rest. We will look at your pressure tomorrow"
After the doctor left, I spent my whole birthday inside my room. At times, my sister would come in but I would just pretend to be asleep.
In the evening, I was woken up by maids barging into the room.
"Lady Esmeray, you are going to be late for your own party!" one of them said. A few ran to the bathroom and others to the wardrobe.
They were noisy, shouting about how behind schedule I was for my birthday banquet.
It took around 3 hours to finish dressing up and the wait was worth it. But I couldn’t help but stare at the mirror feeling familiar.
It was just like before.
The light blue gown was perfect as it matched my eyes. The beads and the jewelry were perfect and so was my hair.
"You look beautiful, lady" one of the maids complimented me as I looked at her through the mirror.
I smiled as I nodded, looking even though I felt weird.
Was it really a nightmare? The feeling of Déjà vu was so strong.
"Thank you for your hard work, everyone"
After the head maid went through my schedule one more time, I was finally on the way to the banquet hall.
"You are here!" Elinor smiled and waved as I averted my eyes from her.
"Yea I am here"
"You OK?" Dad asked me as I gave him a small smile.
"I am much better."
When the four of us finally joined together, the page decided to announce our presence.
"Announcing the presence of The Dalerin Family. Duke Cameron Axlan Dalerin, Duchess Kiara Astelle Dalerin, and the two daughters, the eldest and the next duchess of Dalerin, Lady Esmeray Mor Dalerin, and the youngest, the most beautiful Elinor Marielle Dalerin"
The four of us walked to the podium before greeting the people with a bow.
"Thank you all for coming. Before getting on with the banquet, I would like to say a few words" Dad said as I looked at him. Hearing him talk made my heart stop.
This..... This is exactly what I remember. The speech he made was exactly how it was before.
I frowned, putting my hand over my head.
Was it really a nightmare?
When the speech ended, we went down to meet and greet the others. Elinor and I always used to stick together, especially when we were at social gatherings. But no matter how hard I try, I can’t stop being cautious when she touches me.
What's worse was how everyone else was starting to notice my discomfort.
In the end, I had no choice but to excuse myself to the private balcony.
I let out a huge exaggerated sigh as the cold air fanned past me.
"Long day?"
I jumped while screaming as I heard a voice from the left.
"Wh- Who are you?" I called, looking around.
There was no one on the balcony beside me.
"Did I go mad?" I rubbed my forehead, not knowing what to do.
"I am just a stranger."
I turned once again, this time looking in the direction of the trees.
"Where are you?"
"You are looking in the correct direction."
A second more passed before I saw a shadow move. I took a few steps away as the man jumped to the balcony rail before sitting on it.
"Hello Lady Esmeray"
- Writer
